BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University’s football team will look to take care of home field advantage when it battles Old Dominion in the first meeting between the two schools.
BASICS
■ Who: Old Dominion (0-3) at BGSU (1-2)
■ When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
■ Where: Doyt Perry Stadium
■ Spread: BGSU by 9½
■ TV: ESPN+
■ Radio: 100.7 FM
■ Follow: Michael Burwell
PLAYERS TO WATCH
■ Old Dominion: Jahron Manning. The Monarchs’ 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior has been one of the top safeties in the FBS through the early part of the season. His two interceptions rank tied for eighth nationally, and his 89.3 coverage grade is fifth among safeties, according to Pro Football Focus. Manning is coming off a strong performance in a loss to Virginia Tech two weeks ago when he racked up a career-high 11 tackles.
■ BGSU: Harold Fannin, Jr. BGSU’s star tight end has been nothing short of spectacular through three games this season. The 6-4, 230-pound junior leads all FBS tight ends in receiving yards (349), yards after catch (227), missed tackles forced (10), and first downs (19) while ranking tied for first in receptions (25), according to PFF. Fannin put together his two best outings as a Falcon the last two games against ranked power conference opponents in Texas A&M and Penn State, and he should continue to be a major factor in BGSU’s offense.
STATS TO KNOW
22: BGSU sixth-year senior quarterback Connor Bazelak needs just 22 passing yards to reach 10,000 for his career. He is ranked No. 5 in the country for career passing yards among active players. The former Missouri and Indiana signal caller had two of his highest passing totals as a Falcon the past two games with 254 yards against Penn State and 250 against Texas A&M.
8: Both BGSU and Old Dominion have tallied eight sacks defensively this season, but there is a vast difference between the number of sacks the two teams have given up. Old Dominion has allowed 15 sacks, which is the fifth worst in the FBS, while BGSU has allowed just two, which ranks in the top 10.
7: Old Dominion has played its opponents remarkably close since the start of the 2023 season. Of the 16 games, 13 have been decided by seven points or less. The Monarchs are 6-7 in those games, including 0-2 this year with losses to South Carolina (23-19) and East Carolina (20-14).
MATCHUP TO WATCH
BGSU’s special teams vs. Old Dominion’s special teams: Two of the best kick-blocking teams from the past few seasons will be squaring off. The Falcons and Monarchs both rank among the nation’s leaders with 14 blocked kicks since the start of the 2021 season. Old Dominion has already blocked two this season, including a field goal attempt against Virginia Tech and a punt vs. South Carolina. BGSU’s Trey Johnson stuffed a punt last week against Texas A&M.
PREDICTION
Given how well Old Dominion has played its competition recently, another close game certainly wouldn’t be a surprise. The Monarchs, who had a bye last week, have had plenty of time to prepare for the Falcons. BGSU’s effort on defense could be a deciding factor since Old Dominion has one of the worst offenses in the country (122nd in scoring offense at 16.7 points per game and 120th in total offense at 295 yards per outing). If BGSU can continue its strong play from the first three games of the season, another home victory will be well within reach. BGSU 28-20.
First Published September 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
